- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,138
Hey all you Beckerheads out there, some of you might remember me from a while back, though I haven't posted in a long while. Been doing a lot of lurking and its high time I got back in the loop. I figured a good way to start back would be providing a long term review of my first Becker, the BK-14. This will probably be a bit long winded and pic heavy, so feel free to skip to the bottom for the highlights.
First Contact
I purchased my first BK-14 late 2011 during my first year of college. I go to college in the Adirondack's so a small fixed blade knife is a common sight here. I initially chose the BK-14 for two reasons: The first fixed blade I ever bought was a Ka-Bar, and I liked the Esee Izula but didn't want to cough up the dough for one. I was amazed by the quality of the blade for such a low price, and made in the USA at that!
My Use
The Eskabar quickly became my go to knife for just about anything. As my primary EDC at the time (its still in my EDC rotation to this day), I have used this knife for everything from shelter building and game processing, to sharpening pencils and opening boxes. While it is not perhaps the best knife for these many tasks it does them all reasonably effectively. I find that it particularly excels in small kitchen prep work, as well as fine fire building tasks like breaking down wood for kindling and making feather sticks.
EDC Excellence
I find myself using and carrying the BK-14 more regularly than any other fixed blade knife I have (over 20 that I can think of readily although I am sure I have more). I attribute this to its benign appearance and convenient size. These factors make it ideal for daily carry in areas that it is legal to do so. I occasionally carry my Esee-3 and although they are reasonably similar in size and blade length, it draws much more attention and is a bit more difficult to carry comfortably.
Modification history and Recommendations
BK-14 #1
New (Wrapped Handle)
Stripped, forced patina, handmade leather sheath and leather wrapped handle
Gifted to my friend for his birthday
BK-14 #2
New, cord wrapped (purchased a week after giving my first away; separation anxiety much?)
BK-14 polymer scales added
710 custom pancake sheath
----------Originally was attached to a 710 kydex belt loop (which I managed to break after being beat around on a daily basis)
----------Currently riding on a Esee belt clip plate (sacrilege right?)
Stripped, gun blue/bleach etched
Sandblasted
Lanyard added
What Id recommend after a lot of trial and error is:
Buy or make handle scales
Get a quality custom sheath (710 and Skystorm/Patriot Leatherwork do excellent work IMO)
Strip the Factory coating (it wears pretty quick and traps a lot of miscellaneous gunk)
----------I like mine sandblasted (holds oil a bit better in my experience)
Throw a lanyard on it so its a little easier to get out of the sheath
Long Term Pros and Cons
Pro
o Easy to clean and sharpen
o Good edge retention
o Comfortable to carry and use
o Customizable and Modular
o Plenty Tough
Con
o Factory sheath is nothing special (although it is perfectly adequate)
o Factory coating wears quickly (or at least the coating 3 or 4 years ago did)
My initial rating of this knife was a 5/5 and that stands to this day.
Now For some Pics (in somewhat chronological order)
First Contact
I purchased my first BK-14 late 2011 during my first year of college. I go to college in the Adirondack's so a small fixed blade knife is a common sight here. I initially chose the BK-14 for two reasons: The first fixed blade I ever bought was a Ka-Bar, and I liked the Esee Izula but didn't want to cough up the dough for one. I was amazed by the quality of the blade for such a low price, and made in the USA at that!
My Use
The Eskabar quickly became my go to knife for just about anything. As my primary EDC at the time (its still in my EDC rotation to this day), I have used this knife for everything from shelter building and game processing, to sharpening pencils and opening boxes. While it is not perhaps the best knife for these many tasks it does them all reasonably effectively. I find that it particularly excels in small kitchen prep work, as well as fine fire building tasks like breaking down wood for kindling and making feather sticks.
EDC Excellence
I find myself using and carrying the BK-14 more regularly than any other fixed blade knife I have (over 20 that I can think of readily although I am sure I have more). I attribute this to its benign appearance and convenient size. These factors make it ideal for daily carry in areas that it is legal to do so. I occasionally carry my Esee-3 and although they are reasonably similar in size and blade length, it draws much more attention and is a bit more difficult to carry comfortably.
Modification history and Recommendations
BK-14 #1
New (Wrapped Handle)
Stripped, forced patina, handmade leather sheath and leather wrapped handle
Gifted to my friend for his birthday
BK-14 #2
New, cord wrapped (purchased a week after giving my first away; separation anxiety much?)
BK-14 polymer scales added
710 custom pancake sheath
----------Originally was attached to a 710 kydex belt loop (which I managed to break after being beat around on a daily basis)
----------Currently riding on a Esee belt clip plate (sacrilege right?)
Stripped, gun blue/bleach etched
Sandblasted
Lanyard added
What Id recommend after a lot of trial and error is:
Buy or make handle scales
Get a quality custom sheath (710 and Skystorm/Patriot Leatherwork do excellent work IMO)
Strip the Factory coating (it wears pretty quick and traps a lot of miscellaneous gunk)
----------I like mine sandblasted (holds oil a bit better in my experience)
Throw a lanyard on it so its a little easier to get out of the sheath
Long Term Pros and Cons
Pro
o Easy to clean and sharpen
o Good edge retention
o Comfortable to carry and use
o Customizable and Modular
o Plenty Tough
Con
o Factory sheath is nothing special (although it is perfectly adequate)
o Factory coating wears quickly (or at least the coating 3 or 4 years ago did)
My initial rating of this knife was a 5/5 and that stands to this day.
Now For some Pics (in somewhat chronological order)
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